Recently, the Board of Directors at the SPCA of Clear Lake voted to discontinue providing animal services to the city of Clearlake under the current agreement with the city. According to the SPCA board, this was due to a combination of the large number of animals being brought to the shelter by the city, as well as the city’s refusal to increase the amount of money paid to the SPCA commensurate to the cost of caring for the animals.
The SPCA of Clear Lake is a non-profit corporation that relies heavily upon community contributions, as well as income generated from it’s spay, neuter, and vaccination services in order to function within the County of Lake. During the past year, the organization has held many adoption events, fundraisers, and reached out to schools and senior centers in order to better serve all of the residents of Lake County. The veterinarian on staff at the SPCA of Clear Lake, Dr. Glenn Benjamin, has volunteered his services free of charge.
Unfortunately, the organization is now struggling financially as it finds itself still legally obligated to accept animals from Clearlake through October 1, and at the same time, no longer able to hold spay/neuter clinics to produce income due to the temporary loss of it’s veterinarian to a medical leave.
Several grant applications are in the works, a fundraiser at DJ’s Pizza has been scheduled for September 2, and another fundraiser featuring a silent auction and dinner has been scheduled for October 17. The Board of Directors and the SPCA staff are working hard to keep this shelter, the only alternative shelter to
Lake County Animal Control in the county, open. But they report a need for financial assistance.
Currently, there are over a dozen donation boxes placed throughout the county where people can contribute your dollars and coins. An Amazon Smile account was recently set up so that when a purchase is made from Amazon, the SPCA of Clear Lake can benefit. The SPCA of Clear Lake has a Paypal account (spcaofclearlake@aol.com) where people can make contributions. Donations can also be made directly to the organization at 8025 Highway 29 in Kelseyville, CA 95451.
The facility is always in need of paper towels, laundry soap, hand soap, newspapers, blankets, sheets, and so much more. People may considering volunteering time walking the dogs or playing with the cats.
The SPCA of Clear Lake has been in existence in this county longer than any other animal shelter services. Should it close, there would be an impact. In 2014, the SPCA took into it’s care 1,156 dogs, cats, goats, rabbits and even a bird. In that same year, the organization performed 1,588 low cost spay or neuters on Lake county’s dogs and cats. Many of the county’s low income population and seniors cannot afford the high costs of going to a conventional veterinary office. If you would like to adopt one of the adorable animals at the SPCA of Clear Lake, volunteer, or make a donation contact the organization at 707-279-1400. The SPCA is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
